Thanksgiving is just around the corner—do you know what you’re serving? No need to worry with my guide to more than 20 VEGAN Thanksgiving recipes!
This post was originally published in November 2015.
Vegan Thanksgiving Recipes
Thanksgiving is just around the corner! I’ve been tinkering around testing recipes and I’ve come up with a delicious Thanksgiving feast for you! I tend to be pretty traditional when it comes to the holidays, so I usually stick to this basic formula: a main dish, potatoes, one orange and one green veggie dish, salad, some stuffing, some cranberries and maybe a beverage? Oh, and dessert. Never forget dessert. Check out the more than 20 vegan Thanksgiving recipes below and choose your favorites to take center stage this Thanksgiving!
Thanksgiving Day Breakfast
Let’s face it—dinner is the main event on Thanksgiving Day! But….you’re not going to make it to dinner without a little sustenance. I’ve got a few make ahead options for you! My spice cookie granola is an easy and festive breakfast that you can make ahead of time!
Another favorite make ahead breakfast dish is myPumpkin Pie Chia Pudding. Packed with protein and delicious—it will fuel you for the rest of the morning!
And don’t forget the coffee—what’s Thanksgiving with a pumpkin spice latte?
Holiday Appetizers
Appetizers are an essential part of any Thanksgiving meal! While your friends and family are gathering you’ll want to have a few treats for them to munch on so you can finish up the main cooking. My French Onion Puff Pastry Cups are really easy to make, and so delicious. Set out a plate for your guests to enjoy, giving you a few more minutes in the kitchen.
For a make ahead appetizer try myOlive Tapenade. It has a fancier feel than hummus, but is made in about 5 minutes. Easy peasy! Grab a few more entertaining tips HERE!
Vegan Thanksgiving Entrees
I don’t know about you, but for Thanksgiving dinner I always feel like a main course is a little overrated. Long before I was a vegan I loaded up on the sides and skimped/skipped the main. So as a vegan I don’t feel a lot of pressure to make a main dish. That said, I really love myStuffed Squash with Curried Lentils. Delicious, and pretty too.
Or for a less traditional, but really pretty and easy dish, I recommend myBaked Tofu with Tomatoes, Lemon, and Capers. You can prep it a day or two ahead of time and just bake it up before serving!
Potato Dishes
My mom and I always make a big batch of potatoes, then divide them in two, and doctor them up as we both see fit. My favorite kind of mashed potatoes are loaded with garlic and olive oil, and drowning in onion gravy!
For roasted potatoes, try myAir Fryer Roasted Potatoes with Rosemary. Quick, crispy, and delicious.
And for an Instant Pot option, try myInstant Pot Mashed Potatoes with Fried Onions and Bacon. You can prep them right in the Instant Pot, saving precious stove top space!
If you love sweet potatoes, give my Maple Lime Roasted Sweet Potatoes a try. They are sweet and smokey, and SO easy! If you’re not a fan of sweet potatoes (Irving isn’t!), you might prefer my Maple Coconut Roasted Carrots—also delicious!
Green Bean Casserole and more
Green Bean casserole is a classic Thanksgiving dish for a reason. It’s creamy, flavorful and delicious! I took some inspiration from Mad Men when I created the recipe for this dish. I have made it dozens of times and it is always a hit!
Or try myEasy Vegan Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts for a really low maintenance side dish!
Good Gravy!
It’s not Thanksgiving without gravy, is it? I’ve got two delicious gravy recipes for you to try! The first is myVegan Red Wine Gravy. It is simple to make, and has a beautifully rich flavor that pairs perfectly with anything in your Thanksgiving spread.
My dairy free onion gravy is perfect for the holidays! It’s super flavorful, and so simple to make!
Vegan Stuffing
I’ve cracked the code on my family’sTraditional Vegan Stuffing. It’s just as I remember it from my childhood! It’s crispy on top, warm and cozy on the inside, and studded with apples, cranberries and walnuts!
Keep it fresh—holiday salads!
My dad has made his Cranberry Orange Relish for as long as I can remember. It’s just not Thanksgiving to me without it. It’s fresh bright flavor is a welcomed break in an otherwise heavy meal.
My Kale Salad with Cranberry Dressing salad is also a great pairing with a heavy meal. You’ve just gotta have a fresh salad!
Vegan Thanksgiving Desserts
I’ve got two show stopping desserts for you! Pumpkin Chocolate Cake with Ginger for the chocolate fans, and Apple Pie for those who prefer a fruity dessert. Here’s the secret though—you don’t have to choose. You can make them both…and eat them both too!
Beverages
Always a favorite, my Champagne Sangria makes a perfect party beverage! Make a pitcher so you don’t have to mix drinks all night.
And cap of the night with anEggnog Latte Martini. After all, the rule in my house is that it’s officially Christmas season after the Thanksgiving meal has been finished!
Hope this gives you a great start to your Thanksgiving planning! If you are going to be a guest in someone else’s home, offer to bring a few side dishes that you would be happy eating if there aren’t any other vegan options. And ask the host to do some simple things like save you a few potatoes to mash on your own, or serve salad with the cheese on the side. And if you’re the host you’ll get the opportunity to show your friends and family how delicious and satisfying vegan food is!
